How You Can Keep Your Dog's Teeth Free Of Tartar Between Cleanings

Tartar buildup can negatively affect the health of a dog by causing swelling of the gums and loss of teeth. Dog owners often try to counter this buildup of tartar by taking their pets for dental cleanings, but the intervals between cleanings can be lengthy. That's why you should explore additional options for keeping your dog's teeth clean between cleanings. Fortunately, there are ways you can keep your dog's teeth clean of tartar and help protect their health. Below are some easy approaches that can work well:

High-quality diet

If you want to keep your dog's teeth sparkling, you need to avoid cheap food. It is helpful to provide raw foods whenever possible, since this is reflective of the natural diet of wolves. Meats will contribute less to plaque buildup, the cause of tartar. Dry foods can be counter-productive, so purchase canned foods if raw foods are not an option.

Regular chewing

Another helpful activity that can prevent your dog's teeth from developing plaque and tartar is the regular chewing of a sufficiently abrasive material. There are a variety of ways this can happen, including the chewing of rope toys and other safe objects. However, this activity needs to be maintained on a regular basis to provide benefits, and encouraging your dog to keep chewing can be a challenge. The good news is there are a couple of ways you can encourage healthy chewing:

1. Reward your dog whenever it chews on its toys – It is good to provide your dog with lots of encouragement and positive feedback for chewing on appropriate toys. You can also use edible treats as an incentive, but keep in mind those foods might contribute to plaque, too, and be self-defeating as a result.

2. Provide antlers and raw bones – Bony objects are also great for keeping a dog's teeth free of tartar. Be sure to give your dog raw bones only, as dry bones can cause teeth damage. If you have access to deer antlers, these also provide a healthy chewing alternative for dogs.

Tooth brushing

Some people give up on brushing their dog's teeth due to the difficulty they experience during the early stages of brushing. However, patience and persistence are key to making brushing successful. It is also helpful not to try too much during the first few brushing sessions. Making the process slow and incremental is the best option:

1. Allow your dog to get used to your finger in its mouth – Your dog will need to acclimate itself to a foreign object in its mouth, and using your finger will be a non-threatening way to begin. Put on a rubber glove and insert it into your dog's mouth between its cheek and gums. Rub slowly on the teeth and gums in a regular motion and simultaneously speak in a soothing voice. If you encounter resistance, back away and allow your dog to calm itself.

2. Use your finger for brushing sessions – Once you feel your dog is comfortable with your finger, wrap it in a cotton gauze strip and use it to wipe your dog's teeth clean. Don't worry about using toothpaste for the first few times, as this may be too difficult for your dog. After your dog has gotten used to the gauze strip brushing, then you can add a tiny amount of toothpaste to the pad. Then, slowly add a little more toothpaste daily until you arrive at the manufacturer's recommended amount.

For more pet dental care tips, talk to your veterinarian.